According to a survey of British motorists, one major car manufacturer has come out on top as the UK’s best to buy, with a non-European rival coming in third place
The UK’s best car manufacturer has been announced (stock)(Image: Altaf Shah / 500px via Getty Images)
Throughout automotive history, hundreds of car manufacturers have come and gone, each striving to create the finest vehicles possible. Some have endured, while others have fallen by the wayside.
In recent years, we’ve witnessed the emergence of major Chinese brands, such as BYD, Jaecoo, and Omoda. And of course, American brand Tesla has also risen to prominence.
But how do these marques measure up against their rivals, and how can you gauge their performance in the eyes of everyday motorists rather than professional reviewers?
One motoring publication, Auto Express, conducts an annual Driver Power survey, asking UK drivers — people who live with these cars daily — how they’re faring. Through this survey, they’re able to determine which brands and models the public rate most highly.
When it comes to the best overall manufacturer, while the likes of Tesla and Mazda have secured some victories in this year’s survey, it’s Mercedes that has emerged triumphant as the top manufacturer with a score of 88.96 percent out of 100.
On the German marque’s success, Auto Express said: “Premium brands are typically burdened by high buyer expectations. While many fall short in this regard, Mercedes succeeds in satisfying buyers’ demands, claiming the crown as the best marque in this year’s Driver Power survey. Taking the gold medal in six of our 10 main categories, no brand could match Mercedes’ dominance.”
It wasn’t all plain sailing for Mercedes, however, with the report noting that while owners appreciated the technology and the way the cars performed, they also had to contend with steep running costs. Hot on Mercedes’ heels in second place was another well-established name, Alfa Romeo, which scored an impressive 87.17 percent.
Having failed to feature on the list the previous year, the leap straight to second place is remarkable, with the brand also earning top marks for having the most striking-looking cars in the survey.
Alfa Romeo scored highly for ride and handling, as well as striking a solid balance between physical controls and touchscreens. However, the Italian marque dropped points in the build quality and reliability departments.
Third place went to Tesla with a score of 86.91 percent. With the Mk1 Tesla Model 3 scooping the title of best car in the survey, it comes as little surprise that Tesla performed strongly in the overall rankings.
The electric car giant scored well across the powertrain and infotainment categories, with only aesthetics and fit and finish letting it down slightly.
This formidable podium of Tesla, Alfa Romeo, and Mercedes arrives at a pivotal moment for the motor industry, as newer manufacturers like Tesla go toe-to-toe with European brands that have been around for nearly a century.
With the automotive world undergoing a dramatic transformation, the coming years will prove decisive in determining who thrives and who falls by the wayside.
Leave a comment